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Trump’s Federal Program Freeze Will Hurt His Own Supporters PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Laura Kiefert, Green Bay Progressive   
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 11:16

high-voltage-lines-farmsGeneral policies and beliefs have real results when implemented.


LAKE GENEVA, WI - It’s ironic that many of the Americans who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 are now the same people who could face serious hardships from his federal program freeze. Trump drew overwhelming support from rural areas and working-class voters who have historically depended on federal assistance programs. Now, these communities could pay the price for his policy decisions, which seem to prioritize political theatrics over real solutions.

Rural America, one of Trump’s strongholds, has long struggled with economic stagnation, limited access to healthcare, and an aging population. Federal programs like Medicaid, agricultural subsidies, and infrastructure grants have been lifelines for these regions, keeping hospitals open, farms afloat, and roads maintained. Yet, the freeze on federal grants and loans could dismantle these very safety nets, leaving many of his voters in the lurch.

Take healthcare, for example. Rural hospitals are already closing at alarming rates—more than130 since 2010, according to the American Hospital Association. These hospitals often depend on Medicaid funding to stay operational. Cuts or freezes to these programs don’t just threaten healthcare access; they threaten lives. Trump’s rural voters, many of whom are older and face chronic health issues, will feel this impact acutely.

Then there’s agriculture. Trump’s trade wars with China forced many farmers to rely on federal bailout funds to survive. Now, with federal subsidies on pause, these same farmers could be left without the financial safety net they once depended on. It’s hard to reconcile the image of MAGA hats at rallies with the reality of family farms collapsing under the weight of frozen funds, but that’s the likely outcome of these policies.

Even infrastructure—something Trump himself touted as a top priority—could suffer. Rural communities rely heavily on federal grants to fund critical projects like roads, bridges, and water systems. Delaying these projects doesn’t just hinder economic growth; it risks public safety. It’s a cruel twist that the very areas that backed Trump’s promise to “Make America Great Again” could see their towns fall further into disrepair.

And let’s not forget food assistance programs like SNAP, which serve millions of low-income Americans, including those in rural areas where poverty rates are often higher than in urban centers. Freezing these programs will only increase food insecurity in communities already struggling to make ends meet.

laura-kiefert-2018What’s particularly striking is the disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and the consequences of his actions. For years, he positioned himself as the champion of the “forgotten man and woman,” railing against elites and promising to put America first. Yet, this federal program freeze suggests a disregard for the everyday struggles of his base. It’s as if the people who put him in office have become collateral damage in his ongoing quest for power and attention.

This isn’t just bad policy—it’s bad politics. Many of Trump’s supporters may not connect the dots immediately, but the effects of these cuts will be felt in their communities soon enough. Rural hospitals will close. Farmers will struggle to stay in business. Roads will crumble. And when these realities set in, it’s fair to wonder whether his supporters will start to question whether their loyalty was misplaced.

Trump once famously said, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” Perhaps that’s true, but policies that undermine the health, livelihood, and well-being of his own supporters might be harder to shrug off.

For the sake of the communities that depend on these programs, let’s hope the federal program freeze is short-lived. If it isn’t, many of Trump’s most loyal supporters may find themselves reconsidering the promises they believed in—and wondering if they were ever truly remembered at all.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 January 2025 12:15
 
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